I contracted Chlamydia and Doxycycline did not give me complete cure. Why?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was diagnosed with chlamydia last August. I contracted it in June. I took the single dose of Azithromycin immediately, along with seven days of Doxycycline. I was prescribed after a urology procedure. I tested negative in November during my three-month follow up exam. I have not been sexually active (because I am too paranoid), and I recently tested positive for chlamydia again. My physician told me it is common for bacterial levels to get low enough to become undetected by a NAAT, and can resurface later on due to pH imbalance, stress, etc.

I finished one course of a 10-day Doxycycline regimen, waited a few days. I thought I still had symptoms, so I took 1000 mg of Azithromycin along with another 10-day Doxy regimen at the same time. I am on day 6, and I think I am symptomatic again. I am afraid that having a micro amount of the infection for the past few months may have subjected me to antibiotic resistance. Is this is possible, and if so, is there another treatment option I could try? I have not gone for a follow-up visit yet because I am sure I am still positive.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, as you have taken the antibiotics quite frequently, there can be a chance that there could have been antibiotics resistance development. Both Azithromycin and Doxycycline are effective against chlamydial infections and there was not any need to repeat both of them together. Also, you have not been sexually active for a long time, so unlikely it could be a resurgence too. First of all, you need to relax, calm down, and stop being paranoid. And also would like to know what exactly are the symptoms that you have been facing right now? May be your symptoms could be due to excess antibiotics intake too. It would be good if you could enlist your symptoms once so that I can guide you through the appropriate medications for your symptomatic relief. As of now, I would like to advise you to stop all the antibiotics and look if things are fine. Repeated antibiotics consumption may put you at risk for fungal (candidal) infections and also gastric disturbances too. Please revert back with the symptoms that you are facing right now. Also, stop antibiotics for now.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

As the discharge is very minimal, I feel it should not be of any concern. Self-treatment with antibiotics can prove hazardous (as they can cause antibiotics resistance development among the bacteria) and is also unnecessary in your case as you merely have any symptoms. Vaginal yeast infection presents with white clumpy discharge, but vulval infection can present with only irritation and redness. If you are still skeptical about the infection, you can finish your 7th day course of Doxycycline and stop all antibiotics. I can prescribe you an ointment for local applications for the relief of the inflammation. Bifilac or Darolac (two sachets in half glass water) twice daily for three days. Candid B or Canesten or Clingen cream or gel (Clotrimazole plus Beclomethasone) locally at the redness and irritation site or area. Any feminine wash for local cleansing. You can apply that twice daily for a week and notice. A visit to your gynecologist office should be helpful in case the irritation and redness do not subside despite the local application of the antifungal cream.

I hope this helps you.